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The Story of Archie the Talking Snowman
If your childhood Christmas memories include visiting a twenty-foot-tall talking snowman with flashing red eyes, then you undoubtedly grew up in Akron, Ohio.
The Story of Archie the Snowman is the story of the people who helped make Archie more than just a store Christmas attraction.
It’s also the surprising story of Akron’s hundred-year history of elegant, extravagant, and occasionally plain weird retail Christmas attractions—from the enchanting downtown windows of O’Neil’s and Polsky’s, to talking Christmas trees, trained animal acts, and Santa arriving by satellite. It’s the fascinating context for how and why Archie came to be.
The Story of Archie the Snowman is the story of the people who helped make Archie more than just a store Christmas attraction.
It’s also the surprising story of Akron’s hundred-year history of elegant, extravagant, and occasionally plain weird retail Christmas attractions—from the enchanting downtown windows of O’Neil’s and Polsky’s, to talking Christmas trees, trained animal acts, and Santa arriving by satellite. It’s the fascinating context for how and why Archie came to be.
218 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 21, 2015
I bought this book for my sister, and as soon as she saw it, she immediately told her best friend about it. The Story of Archie and the Talking Snowman is a charming read, with humorous and touching stories about this anthropomorphized Akronite. What happens when you let a high school kid who’s big into Adam Sandler movies voice Archie? (Hint: It doesn’t end well.) What happens when a social media campaign to bring back Archie inspires a sense of local community and holiday cheer? (Hint: You truly feel the Christmas spirit.)
Importantly, however, this book is not just about the history of Archie – it’s also about the history of Akron. Joanna Wilson does an orchestral job of using Archie’s story as a narrative tool to illuminate and vivify the characters and stories of Akron’s past. Drawing from accounts not just in The Akron Beacon Journal, but also The Akron Times-Press, as well from countless other periodicals and personal interviews, the author has woven together a well-written, impeccably-researched, and utterly delightful book. Highly recommended.
Importantly, however, this book is not just about the history of Archie – it’s also about the history of Akron. Joanna Wilson does an orchestral job of using Archie’s story as a narrative tool to illuminate and vivify the characters and stories of Akron’s past. Drawing from accounts not just in The Akron Beacon Journal, but also The Akron Times-Press, as well from countless other periodicals and personal interviews, the author has woven together a well-written, impeccably-researched, and utterly delightful book. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2015
This was a fascinating look into the history of Archie the Snowman and many other Christmas attractions of Akron, OH over the years. It is a very well written account of the history of retail holiday displays with Akron as a microcosm for what I suspect were/are national trends. It also made me think about retail holiday attractions in my own hometown (Richmond, VA). It's wonderful to hear that the citizens of Akron have recently worked together to revive some of their beloved Christmas traditions so that they can be shared with future generations.
An inspiring local history that is well worth checking out -- even if you are not native to the Akron area!
An inspiring local history that is well worth checking out -- even if you are not native to the Akron area!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews